Ennis: I've deserved my debut chance

7th February 2019

Stepping on to the Molineux pitch to make his senior Wolves debut against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup was a dream come true for Academy star Niall Ennis.

The 19-year-old replaced Ivan Cavaleiro with just two minutes of regular time remaining in the Fourth Round replay, and almost set up strike partner Raul Jimenez for a chance at goal with his first touch.

But after being at the club for almost 12 years, Ennis was delighted to finally sample a taste of first-team football after he suffered a series of injury set-backs in his young career.

On making his senior Wolves debut

“It felt good. In my head it’s been long overdue, but I’ve had a lot of set-backs so I’m just happy that it’s come now. It’s been the right time.

“For me it’s been a big occasion and being the FA Cup as well, I’m just over the moon to come on. I feel like I deserve it because I’ve been playing well this season after everything I’ve overcome.

“I felt that when you get your chance, you just have to take it, so hopefully I did what I could.

“A win’s a win. It doesn’t matter if it’s 1-0, 4-0, 2-1, you’re in the next round.”

On finding out he was in the squad

“I trained first-team Sunday, a few players go down usually, and then came in on Monday as usual for training with the under-23s, but I was told I was with the first-team.

“After the first-team session, Cam John ran in the room saying I was in the squad. I was over the moon. It’s always better when you don’t exactly expect it.”

On stepping out at Molineux

“I was warming up for a while, but I had to be ready, just in case. Even in an under-23 game you have to warm up throughout the whole game so you’re always ready.

“The way the club is going, the under-23s mimic the first-team, so I was eased into it and it felt like normal.

“It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of. I’ve been at this club since I was seven-years-old, so I’m over the moon that I finally did it, what I’ve always aimed to do.

“I’ve just made my debut at Wolves, so I’m happy and hopefully it’s the start of something good.”